SimpleFLOORS

Installation Instructions for Pre-finished Bamboo Flooring

General Requirements
Installation on Wooden Sub Floor
Installation on Concrete Sub Floor
Radiant Heat Floors
Care and Maintenance

Note: simpleFLOORS is not responsible for and does not warranty the quality of the installer's work or the installation of the flooring. We assume no liability arising from improper installation, inappropriate installation location or improper care and maintenance of the flooring. See our warranty for details.

General Requirements

Our bamboo flooring products are installed much like typical hardwood flooring using nails, staples or adhesive.
Choose a reputable, experienced and competent installer for the work.
Installation of the bamboo flooring should be the final step in the decorating procedure.
You may notice some color variations in each box of flooring, this is typical. Plan ahead and stagger the color variation throughout the installation just as you would with other flooring products. Do not install any piece of flooring with an obvious defect.
Surfaces where the flooring is to be installed must be dry and clean. In the case where gluing is the attachment method, the floor must be free of contaminants which may interfere with the performance of the adhesive.
Make every effort to avoid face nailing.

Installation on Wooden Sub Floor

The following preparations or considerations must be made before installing bamboo flooring:
- Sub flooring must be smooth and level. If this is not the case, steps must be taken to remedy the situation.
- Surface where flooring is to be installed must be dry and clean. In the case of glue-down application there must not be any contaminants which will interfere with the performance of the adhesive.
Sub flooring must be substantial enough so that installed flooring will not flex or move. Consider laying the floor 90° to the direction of the joists for added strength.
It is best if the starter row is parallel with the longest dimension of the room. The installation as a whole should be square with the room. Starter rows must always have approximately 1/2" space for expansion between the flooring and the wall depending on room size. Failure to do this may cause the floor to buckle at a later date. Secure the starter row firmly using blind nailing. The edge of the starter row nearest the wall may be face nailed as the nails will be covered by wall base and shoe mold. It is recommended that the starter row be nailed to joists. The last rows should be blind nailed by hand with the use of face nailing a last resort.

Nail-Down: Add additional rows to the starter row by nailing or stapling at the top of the tongue as shown in Figure 1. Use a mechanical nailer adjusted for 5/8" thick flooring. Nail/staple approximately every 10 inches and never closer than 6 inches to the end of a board. Nailing close the end of a board may cause it to split.

Glue-down: Use a reliable high quality adhesive designed for gluing down wood flooring. Consider Franklin 811 Plus (www.franklinflooring.com) or Bostik's Best (www.bostikfindley-us.com) when choosing an adhesive. Carefully follow the instructions provided with the adhesive. Install bamboo flooring just as tongue and groove hardwood flooring is installed.

Floating Floors: The floating floor method can be used for wood sub floor installations. Consider using Bruce Everseal Adhesive and carefully follow the instructions provided with the adhesive. Never use yellow carpenter's adhesive. Floating 3/8" thick flooring is not recommended. See detailed instructions below.

Installation on Concrete Sub Floor

Moisture Considerations: Bamboo flooring must be installed in a dry location. Your installer may want to perform a calcium chloride moisture test before installation. If the calcium chloride moisture test result is less than or equal to 3 lbs then the concrete floor is considered dry. Test results above 3 lbs would require a moisture barrier. Basement and below grade installations are not recommended.

Floor Condition: Concrete sub floor must be smooth and level. If this is not the case, steps must be taken to remedy the situation. Any dips or low spots should be filled with an appropriate material. Consider Bostik Floor Patch #101 when rehabilitating concrete floors.

Glue-down: Use an adhesive designed to glue wood flooring to concrete and follow instructions provided with the adhesive. Consider Franklin 811 Plus (www.franklinflooring.com) or Bostik's Best (www.bostikfindley-us.com) when choosing an adhesive.

Floating Floors: The floating floor method can be used for concrete sub floor installations. A vapor barrier should be considered. Consider using Bruce Everseal Adhesive and carefully follow the instructions provided with the adhesive. Floating 3/8" thick flooring is not recommended.

The first step in laying a floating floor is to determine which direction in the room the flooring will be installed. Consider laying flooring parallel with long wall.
Since walls are often not straight and rooms are not square use care in putting down the first row of flooring. Use a chalk-line as a guide to ensure the first row is straight.
Saw door jambs to the proper height to accommodate new flooring by using a piece of flooring as a guide.
Floors expand and contract over time and with changing environmental conditions. For every 27" of flooring allow 1/16" expansion. For example: A 12" wide floor should have approximately 11/32" gap for expansion on each side.
Use blocks or wedges (to be removed later) to align the first row to the chalk line. It is very important that the first row is straight. It is not necessary to fasten the first row to the floor. Select straight boards for use in the first row.
Stagger joints so a random pattern is generated.
Lay out all of the boards for the first row end to end but do not adhere together. The groove must be facing the wall. Once you are satisfied with the fit of the first row re-install this row but this time apply adhesive to the ends of each board. On the ends of the boards place a continuous bead of adhesive along the top of the tongue of the piece already laid and on the bottom of the groove on the piece of flooring to be laid. Excessive adhesive may hold boards apart. Immediately wipe off any excess adhesive that is squeezed from a joint. Use a pinch bar to tightly install the last piece in the first row.
Begin the second row using a partial piece to ensure that joints are staggered. Use the adhesive bead locations illustrated in Figure 2. Adhere long and short edges of each board. Use a tapping block to put boards together. Gentle tapping works best. Never us a hammer directly on the edges or surfaces of your flooring. Immediately wipe off any excess adhesive that is squeezed from a joint.
Tape (designed for holding pre-finished floating floors) or straps may be used to secure floor as installation continues. Using the wrong tape will ruin your floor.
Continue the process until the last boards are installed. It may be necessary cut the last row of boards along its length so it will fit.
These instructions are general in nature. Please consult your professional installer for more details and tips.

Radiant Heat Floors

Consult your installer for installation over radiant heating. Generally bamboo flooring can be installed using the same methods as tongue and groove hardwood flooring. The surface temperature of a radiant floor must not be above 85°F or 29°C.

Care and Maintenance

Clean loose dirt and grit from the floor using a dust mop, broom or vacuum. Promptly wipe up food or liquid spills with a soft damp cloth. For additional cleaning use a product such as a no wax cleaner designed for hardwood floors. Do not use a wet mop or oil soap to clean the floor. Never wax your bamboo floor. Install floor protectors on the feet of furniture. Avoid heavy impact, spiked heals and rotational loads. Have a professional repair any area of the floor which has been damaged.